Nell Williams Simpson Stowe

CHARLOTTE - Nell Williams Simpson Stowe of Charlotte passed away November 12, 2013 at the age of 82 years from cancer. Her sense of humor never wavered. When learning her cancer was terminal she asked the doctor with a smile "will I have enough time to wash my windows"? Her wit and wisdom no doubt came from growing up in Ellerbe, NC during the depression. When I would say how tough things are today she would tell me of a personal experience during that time to show me what tough times really were. Nell was born in Richmond County, NC December 12, 1930. She had been a resident of Charlotte since she stepped off the bus here, suitcase in hand in 1948 from Biscoe, NC. She soon began working for Southern Bell as an Operator and retired with 37 years of service as an Engineer. Nell has always been a people person from being a den mother in 1961 to the rowdiest Cub scouts ever to being the President of the Metropolitan Business and Professional Women Club from 1973 to 1974. She loved being in the A.T.T. Pioneers and loved landscaping and I spent many Saturdays digging holes that never seemed quite deep enough for her. She was very active in her church, Thomasboro Baptist Church and later Avondale Presbyterian. She was attending Christ United Methodist until her health became a deterrent. Through the decades she loved the social interaction that the card games of canasta and bridge provided and belonged to many Bridge Clubs. Yet she enjoyed time alone, especially at her house on Lake Tillery where she loved to work on very complicated needlepoint pieces that took months to complete. The multitude of pieces she completed through the years will always be a memorial to the patience of Job she was blessed with. But what my mother cherished the most was all of her enduring friendships she had and their support during the last months of her life. Preceded Nell in death was her first husband of 50 years, Ken Simpson in 2002 and her brother, Norman Williams in 1974. Survivors include her son, Mike Simpson and wife Melissa of Waxhaw, NC; granddaughters, Heidi Simpson of Charlotte, India and Cheyenne Simpson of Waxhaw, NC; brother, J. C. Williams of Biscoe, NC and all her niece and nephews she loved and who affectionately called her "Aunt Nellie". Also preceding Nell in death was her second husband W. E. (Bill) Stowe, Jr. who she married in 2003 and who passed away in May of 2011. Survivors include her step-children, W. E. Stowe, III, Jane McDade, Glenn Stowe and wife, Mary and Beth and her husband, Keith. My mother always said she was so blessed to be so warmly accepted by such a beautiful family as Bill's. Nell's family will receive visitors at Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 4601 Freedom Drive in Charlotte from 6:00-800PM Friday, November 15th. Nell will be transported to Phillips Funeral Home in Star, NC and receive visitors from 1:00-2:00PM on Saturday, November 16th and then will be taken to the Biscoe Cemetery for a graveside service at 2:30PM and laid to rest near her mother and other family members. Offer condolences through www.forestlawnwest.com. Nell's family will receive visitors at Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 4601 Freedom Drive in Charlotte from 6:00-800PM Friday, November 15th. Nell will be transported to Phillips Funeral Home in Star, NC and receive visitors from 1:00-2:00PM on Saturday, November 16th and then will be taken to the Biscoe Cemetery for a graveside service at 2:30PM and laid to rest near her mother and other family members.